Apparatus for charging metal ingots into molten metal



July 29, 1952 'w. J. BARNES 2,605,006

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING METAL mcorrs INTO MOLTEN METAL Filed June 5, 1951 72 Wmim'p 0 96 INVENTOR.

J. BARAES 9Z I 9!- Mfi A TT ORNE Y.

other processes. metal-has beenilowered to a predetermined level, -it is.necessary:to.add furtheriamounts of the solid vmetal tothe body ofmoltenmetal toreplace-that which hasbeen withdrawn. Various mechanical devices have been'proposedgfor lowering the solid Patented July 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE f 2,605,006 7 APPARATUS FOR-CHARGING METAL moors INTO 'MOLTEN METAL William J. Barnes, swarthrhorc, 2a,, .assigh rto E. I. duPont de Nemoui s .andtocmpany, Wilmingt'on; ,DeL, .a corporation of Delaware Application'flunefi, 195LSgriafNox230g025 'Thisinvention relates'to apparatus for charging metal ingots into molten ,metal and more particularly for charging,metallicleadeither in large single ingots or in stacks of sma11-ingots, into abody of molten lead in a melt, pot.

Lead and other :metals are frequently melted and -maintained in molten condition in heated pots from which the moltenmetal is continuously or periodically withdrawn'for usein chemical, and When the body of the molten metal intothebodyof molten metalrbut, ingeneral, such devices have the disadvantage that they have moving parts lwhi'chare "broughtinto close proximity to the molten metal and which aresoon rendered'inoperative by the splashing of themolten metalthereon. .Also, suchdcvl'ces generally have the disadvantage :that they can be used for chargingingotsoi'onlyla Small range of (sizes, and cannotbe used :for chargingiboth large and small ingots; such, for.eXample,,-as a single large' 3800 pound ingotorzan equivalent charge of 100 pound ingots. One typesof device. which 'has beenfemployed, comprises a 3-1wheel type of -clamshell bucket operated from an overhead -crane. Such device exposes moving parts, operating under only slight forces, to the splash of operated from an overhead hoist, which handles ingots of only (a limited size, and 'consi derable difficulty is experienced in disengaging the tongs .fromythe ingot. Such types of devices cannot welkbeenclosedin-a hood, whereby there is danger ofsplashing personnel with molten metal and of subjecting them to obnoxious and dangerous fumes and gases.

It is an object of the .l presnent invention to provide newand improv'edapparatus'forcharging metal ingots into ai-body of molten metal-inamelt pot; Another object sis to provideianapparatus of --such1'character which can conveniently he enclosed in a protective hood. .Still another object is to provide an apparatus of such character which willnot be rendered inoperative bysplashing metal. A further object is to provide an apparatus of such character which will permit the charging of ingotsvofa wide range of sizes, from a single large ingot to (a plurality of small ingots.

ab ve heim l -nd 0 d i p 'p s t the ar i iall s bm r edi ng h k i-r mo lte n-metal-for from about toahout dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivot 1 carrier backward as it'ireachestheiduhlp verse pivot at ;substantiallyth'e level" of gtheju f charging ap at wi -Parts -=DQ and parts in section for -clearness oi illustration;

1o Claims. (01. [214-48) Still/{iurther obj est-sine toadvancethe art;

objects will appear hereinafter.

The vabove and other objects m tas ases plished in accordance with ,my invention which comprises in combination an elevator forslowly vloweringan ingot carrier from-a loadi h eightland to then tilt the carrier b ck ard t en e irQm th bQ Psimbii i a means ,3 t n with the .eleva-tor'to tilt 5,; v

tion, and backing means for preventfi carrier from tilting when itis in loadingjo V he inse t r erc q i i e ia l parallel spaced elongated vertical side 'n'lernbers ri idly co n cted og he a d: ha n f dtl straight back surfaces for mos N y tioftlieir height, a;rig id longitudinally flat horiz nt,alpl atf orm}at the lower ends of the sidelmembrs. the D QFQ suspension for the ingot carrierfincludingatransendsof the side'membersabove.substant "ll e center of gravity .of the carrier; .the'. di1mp g means comprising atransverse'dumpin [bar jecting from the side member adliacerit theupper ends thereof and spaced to thejrarfofand extendingparallel to the pivot andat least-one static ary dumping hook :having a transverse not ing means comprising at least one stationary wb r-b a -the mp nsehq kem em toandab s thave t sa m t ai ht makes-t me of the in t carrie s de m mb rs n i h lpne nd l kle e w e the in ,lqa rieri el esfie o it on dB e ablv th rlatie ma h a e w .be rin-th iorrn Qi em e ,1Qnei u n n q nta ti vA iaa?nev eif vl r t n ryib m e w l :hepr de s s tl 4 f c m an ing d ns n'w ie l. l

Fi ure l is-afrontview of my pr ef re A aw y F gu 71. a d view 9 the atrium 19 Figure 1, with parts omitted,- and .lshowi-n l fit-, o

erably by a spacer bar 22.

positions of the ingot carrier and of the elevator therefor; and

Figure 3 shows a modified form of ingot carrier.

The charging apparatus is positioned near one edge of the melt pot of which a small portion is shown at 1.. The melt pot is provided with a cover H provided on its upper surfaces with reenforcing brackets 12 and has an opening over which the charging apparatus is supported. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the charging apparatus comprises an ingot carrier l4 consisting of 2 parallel spaced vertical side members each substantially in the form of a vertically elongated square C having a vertical back portion IS, a lower forwardly extending horizontal portion 18, and an upper forwardly extending horizontal portion 24. The vertical portions it have smooth straight back surfaces extending vertically for most of their height.

The lower portions l8 have upper longitudinally flat horizontal platform surfaces which form a platform, consisting of two spaced longitudinally extending rails, for supporting one or more ingots of lead l9 and are rigidly connected together by spacer bars 20, the upper edges of which are below the horizontal plane of the upper platform surfaces of the rails l8. Also, the portions [6 are connected together near their upper ends, pref- The ingot carrier I4 is pivotally suspended from the bottom of an elevator by a transverse pivot 26 extending through the upper horizontally extending portions 24 of the side members intermediate the ends thereof and above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier.

The pivot 28 is carried by the lower ends of spaced arms 28, depending from the horizontal connecting plate 30 of an H-shaped crosshead, of which the vertical side members are indicated at 32. The crosshead is supported at the lower g end of the piston rod 34 of a pneumatic cylinder 36 by a universal joint 38. The cylinder 36 is supported on a top plate 39 at the top of a supporting frame 42. The plate 39 is reenforced by beams 40 below the cylinder 36 and a plurality of braces 42 supported on the melt pot cover, only one of such braces being shown for purposes of illustration.

The crosshead is provided at each of its ends with a plate 44 carrying a vertically elongated narrow guide block 46 fitting loosely between parallel spaced vertical guide members 50 which extend from the top plate 39 downward to below the top of the melt pot. The crosshead and the operating mechanism therefor constitute the elevator.

Preferably, the forward ends 52 of the upper horizontal portions 24 of the ingot carrier carry stop-lugs 54 which engage arms 56 extending forwardly from the crosshead, so as to ensure that the ingot carrier will not accidentally tilt forwardly. The stop-lugs may be carried by the arms 56, or eliminated by lowering the arms 58 to cause them to contact the ends 52. Other forms of stop means may be substituted. The stop means may be omitted entirely, but will usually be desired to aid in holding the carrier firm during loading operations.

A round dumping bar 58 passes transversely through the side members l6 adjacent the upper rear corners thereof and has its ends projecting outwardly beyond the side members. Such dumping bar is parallel to the pivot 26. Spaced dumping hooks 60 are supported by brackets 62 firmly secured to the melt pot cover and are provided in their upper edges with notches for receiving the dumping bar 58. Each of the notches has a downwardly inclined surface 64 which extends downwardly and forwardly at an angle of about 40 from the horizontal for a few inches from the point where it first engages the dumping bar to the forward lower portion of the notch '56. The length and inclination of the surface 64 will be dependent upon the distance between the pivot 26 and the dumping bar 58 and upon the angle through which the carrier is tilted. The dumping hooks are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the width of the ingot carrier so that the ingot carrier can pass downwardly between them until they are engaged by the projecting ends of the dumping bar. The notches in the dumping hooks are positioned above the body of molten metal in the melt pot at a distance equal to from about to about preferably about /2, of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of the outwardly projecting ends of the dumping bar.

A bumper is provided for aiding the discharge of the load from the ingot carrier. This consists of two spaced upwardly and backwardly extending elongated support members 68 secured to the under surface of the melt pot cover and provided with braces '10, a spacer member id and a bumper bar i2 secured to the lower ends of the members 68. This bumper is of a width slightly less than the distance between the side members N5 of the ingot carrier and the bumper bar 72 is of a height less than A the height of such side members. Such bumper bar is positioned slightly above and to the rear of the horizontal platform surfaces of the carrier when such carrier is in its lowermost untilted position and between the vertical planes of the side members it of the carrier.

A backer bar 16 is carried by spaced brackets TS supported on the cover of the melt pot. Such backer bar extends transversely of the ingot carrier and is positioned opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier near the lower ends thereof when the carrier is in loading position, so as to prevent tilting of the carrier during the loading thereof.

Usually, the ingot carrier and the rest of the cooperating mechanism which extends above the melt pot cover, except for the pneumatic cylinder 35, will be enclosed in a hood, indicated generally at 8! Such hood will have a door and a vent for gases, not shown.

The various parts of the apparatus will usually be made of steel. Iowever, it will be apparent that they may be made of other materials of sufiicient strength and melting point to withstand the stresses and heat involved.

The operation of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 will now be described, assuming that molten metal has been removed to the extent where it is desired to add solid metal to replace that removed, the upper surface of the body of molten metal then being at the predetermined lower liquid level shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The elevator and ingot carrier will be in the loading position shown in solid lines in Figures 1 and 2 and the solid metal E9, in the form of a single large ingot or of a stack of small ingots, will be loaded on the platform rails of the carrier. During such loading, the stop-lugs 54 will prevent the ingot carrier from tilting forwardly and the backer bar 16 will prevent the carrier from tilting backwardly. The stop-lugs 54 are not essential, but will usually be desired for complete ejections safety. *Afterthe load of .solid"metal' has been placejdjin the'carrier, the doorto the hood will bejclosed and the elevator mechanism will beset in operationto slowly lower the carrier.

During th downward motion, the straight back edges 'ofth'e'carrier will slide over the-backer bar'TB- which 'willensurethat the carrier is not tilted; backward until the'upper ends of such straight edgespass below the backer bar. results in a scraping. action which removes any metal which may have been -splashed on the bearfmg'surfaces or keeps it at'an' insignificant thicknessfor long periods of time. Also, in the structure as shown, the edge ofthe melt pot co'verjin back of the-carrier acts as a second backer bar and further prevents tilting of the carrier until it reaches the dumping position. Additional backer bars may be employed inplace olfiorbn-theedgesof-the melt pot cover, if desired:- However, itis not necessary to have the This edge of the melt potcover abut againstthe rear edges of the carrier 'or to-provide additional backer-bars at thisjpoint. The loadusually will not-be very far off center 'due' to "the'construc- 'tion of the'carrier andthesize" of'the loadsemploye'd, whereby the carrier will usually hang nearly vertical and will have but little or no tendency to tilt backward to an objectionable extent in the absence of an abuttingedge ofthe melt pot-cover oradditional backer bars.

The elevator will lower the ingotcarrier until the-projecting ends of the dumping bar 53'engage the upper rear ends ofthe inclined surfaces 64- of 'thenotches-in the dumpinghooks fill. Such notches are so spaced above the-body of molten metal-that, when thedumping bar-soengages the surfaces of'the notches, the ingot carrier is in dumping position, partially submerged in the molten metal for from about /6 to about 7 of its height, andypreferably, for about /2 of its height; This places the platform-surfaces below the-level-of the molten metal and at" least partially submerges the load of-solid metal'therein sojthat it can be dumped with a minimum of splashing of'the molten metal. 1

The elevatorthencontinues itsdownward vertical motion to cause the carrierto-rotate about the pivot 2'6-a-nd,- at the-same time, the dumping bar '58 slides down theincline'd surface 64 to the bottom of the notchat Bdto-compensatefor the difference in-distance betweenthe dumping "bar and the vertical plane of movement o fthe pivot 2'6. Such-rotation of the carrierabout the pivot (the tiltingof the carrier) brings the platform surfaces of'thecarrier tea final inclinationof at least from 'theghorizontal and, preferably, of about"- 45 as shown in dot and dash lines on Figure 2 i of the drawings,- whereupon the load of solidmetal'slides off of the platform surfaces. Thesliding of the dumping bar 58 over the inclined surfaces ofthe dumping hooks-is under-heavy-pressures and removesany splashed metal fromsuchsurfaces or reduces the iamount thereofto an insignificant thickness;

During the tilting of the-carrien-theload of solid -metal is brought against" the bumper bar 12 and is prevented from continuing backward with the continuedbackwardmotion ofthecar- *rier platform, whereby thebumperbar-nudges the load toward the forward end of the platform surfaces to aidv indischarging the load "from the carrier.

Ordinarily, the j tiltin of =the. carrier will be sufficient to 'dumpjthe loadin the absence of the bumper; bar. Hence; 7 the 1 bumper "bar is notessentiaktmthe "successful -operation "-75 such members.

82, slightly below the of 'the apparatus, -I-Iow ever, if theiloadshouldnot slide'off-the' platform surfaees smoothly, but first sticksan'dthen' falls ofi s-uddenly as is sometimes; the'case, excessive splashing -will"occu r;- Accord ingly, itis generally preferred 5 to; provide the' bumper bar so as to ensure smooth dumping of the load from the carrier. a r 7 The" platform of the' ingot c'arrier may be' in the'formpf a singlemember having alarge con tinuous fiat surface 'ex;tending" oyerthe entire area below they load --However, a platformof such character will be less-desirable than} *rails because it will" oause undesirable disturbance of the surface of themolten metal and will" tend to accumulate solidified metal; Preferablygthe platform will "betinf iie form of a plurality" of spaced longitudinally extending rails and most desirably onlytworails; Suchrails cause'a'; minimum disturbance of" the surface of' themolten metal and presentgonly-narrow*platform surfaces upon which. solidifiedmetalcanaccumulate and the scraping action of: the load 'o'f-solidf'metal as'it' slides over suchsurfac'es'during itsdisthalfge will tendto remove "solidifiedmeta'l onisuchsurfaces due to the concentration of the weight of the load upon'such'relatively smallisurfacesg After the load has been I dumpedffrom-thefcan rier, :the motion of; the elevator is 'reyielfifid to return the carrier toitslpading position; Usually, the operation will" be'repieated severartimes until 'asufficient number .offloads have beencharged to raise the upper:surface-of'thebodyiof. molten metal'to the desiredfi l t er liquid ley l shown in'Figure 2.

v As has been pointedout :above, jmost of" the operating; bearing surfaces, which are likelyto be splashed with molten metal, arejsubjectedto a scraping action: under high pressures which prevent'the splashed metal from building'up to an extent where they will render theapparatus inopeartive or seriously affectits operation. The pivot 26 and the bearings therefor are also splashed, but thejpartsare closely fitted so that splashed molten metal cannot readily enteribetween them and such parts also operate under heavy pressures, whereby "they are not rendered inoperative by' splashing metal; The universal joint 38 is out of the range ofmost'of thesplashing metal and furthermore. is shielded therefrom bythe side members '332 of the crosshead. Also, such universal vjoint 3Bv may readily be provided with another shield. in. place of or in addition to the. side members 32 of .the cross.-

head. The apparatusof'Figures l. and 2.. has

been in commercial operation inicharging. loads of about 3800 pounds of lead into .a'bodyof moltenlead for several months andhas operated satisfactorily for such time with only a routine cleaning. once a week.

Figure 3 shows a modified form of ingot carrier comprising two spacedvertical members 82 connected at their lower ends in the form of a U and carrying two spaced horizontal rails 84 extending transversely of such lower ends, the

upper longitudinally fiat surfaces of'which rails form a'platform surface above the lower connecting part-of the'U. The carrier is swingingly suspended at'itsupper end by'apivot 86 extending through the upper ends of the vertical members 82'slightly forward of the vertical plane of Spaced parallel horizontal arms 88 extend "rearwardly of the vertical members pivot 86, and carry a dumpingbar-Qllat their rearward ends. Such dumping "bar--"--90-- isadapted to engage one or aeoao e more dumping hooks 92similar to the dumping hooks 60 of- Figures 1 and 2. The longitudinal midpoints of the platform rails 84 will be forward of the vertical plane of the pivot 86 sufiicient to balance the arms 88 and dumping bar 90, so that the center of gravity of the carrier will be substantially in the vertical plane of the pivot. Backer bars 94, carried by brackets 96, engage the rear vertical surfaces of the members 82, in the manner and for the same purposes as the hacker bar 16 of Figures 1 and 2.

The carrier of Figure 3 will be lowered and raised by an elevator similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 and the operation of the various parts thereof will be similar to the corresponding parts of Figures 1 and 2 as hereinbefore described. It will be understood that the specific structures and embodiments, shown in the drawings and hereinbefore described specifically, are given for illustrative purposes solely and that variations may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. For example, a hydraulic cylinder may be employed in place of the pneumatic cylinder 36, or other equivalent apparatus may be used for raising and lowering the elevator and the carrier. Also, the form of construction of the elevator may be widely varied. The notches in the dumping hooks may be simple semicircular notches of a size to loosely hold the dumping bar 58, provided that the suspension of the carrier is rendered flexible as by substituting links or a cable or cables for the arms 28. The dumping hooks and the bumper bar may be adjustable vertically and the stroke of the elevator may be adjustable or the entire charging apparatus may be raised or lowered, so as to provide for changes in the predetermined level of the molten metal or in the desired degree of immersion of the carrier and load in themolten metal.

From the preceding it will be apparent that I have provided a novel charging apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot, which apparatus is of simple and strong construction, is, not readily rendered inoperative 'by splashed metal, will permit the chargingof a single large ingot or one or more small ingots, is well adapted to be enclosed in a protective hood so as to, protect personnel from splashing metal and obnoxious and dangerous fumes and gases, is simple and automatic in operation and permits operation by remote control. Therefore, it will be apparent that, my invention constitutes a valuable advance in and contribution to the art.

I claim: 7 V

1. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an ingot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body of molten metal for from about /6 to about of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally suspended from the bottom of the elevator, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward as it reaches the dumping position, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting when it is in loading position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced elongated vertical side members rigidly connected together and having smooth straight back surfacesfor most of their height, a rigid longitudinally fiat horizontal platform at the lower ends of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot at substan tially the level of the upper ends of the side members above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper ends thereof and spaced to the rear of and extending parallel to the pivot, and at least one stationary dumping hook having a transverse notch in its upper surface above the body of molten metal at a distance equal to from about /6 to about /3 of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of only the transverse dumping bar; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the dumping hook and opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier side members near the lower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in loading position.

2. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an ingot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body or" the molten metal for about /2 of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally suspended from the bottom of the elevator, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward as it reaches the dumping position, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting when it is in loading position and until it reaches the dumping position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced elongated vertical side members rigidly connected together and having smooth straight back surfaces for most of their height, a rigid longitudinally fiat horizontal platform at the lower ends of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot at substantially the level of the upper ends of the side members above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper ends thereof and spaced to the rear of and extending parallel to the pivot, and at least one stationary dumping hook having a transverse notch in its upper surface above the body of molten metal at a distance equal to about of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of only transverse dumping bar; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the dumping hook opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier in all positions of the ingot carrier above its dumping position.

3. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an ingot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body of molten metal for from about to about 7 of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally suspended from the bottom of the elevator, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward as it reaches the dumping position, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier. from tilting when it is in loading position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced elongated vertical side members rigidly connected together and having smooth straight back surfaces for most of their height, a rigid longitudinally flat horizontal platform consisting of two spaced rails extending from front to rear of the carrier at the lower ends of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot at substantially the level of the upper ends of the side members above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper ends thereof and spaced to the rear of and extending parallel to.the pivot, and at least one stationary dumping hook having a transverse notch in its upper surface above the body of molten metal at a'distance equal to from about to about of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of only the transverse dumping bar, the upper edge of said notch sloping downwardly and forwardly for a few inches from the vertical plane of the dumping bar to the bottom of said notch in front of said vertical plane; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the 'dumping hook and opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot car- 'rier side members near the lower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in loading position.

4. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an ingot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body of molten metal for from about /6 to about of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally suspended from the bottom of the elevator, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward asit reaches the dumping position, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting when it is in loading position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced elongated vertical side members rigidly connected together and having smooth straight back surfaces for most of their height, a rigid longitudinally flat horizontal platform at the lower ends of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot at substantially the level of the upper ends of the side members above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper ends thereof and spaced to the rear of and extending parallel to the pivot, at least one stationary dumping hook having a transverse notch in its upper surface above the body of molten metal at a distance equal to from about /6 to about /3 of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of only the transverse dumping bar, and a stationary bumper bar of a Width slightly less than the distance between the ingot carrier side members and of a height less than the height of the side members, said bumper bar being supported between the vertical planes of the side members and slightly above and to the rear of the horizontal platform surfaces of the ingot carrier when such carrier is in its lowermost untilted position; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the dumping hook and opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier side members near the lower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in loading position. 4

5. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an ingot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body of molten metal for from about to about of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally suspended from the bottom of the elevator, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward as it reaches the dumping position, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting when it is in loading position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced vertical side members each substantially in the form of a vertically elongated square C having a smooth straight back surface extending vertically for most of its height and in which the lower horizontally extending portion has an upper longitudinally flat horizontal platform surface, spacer members rigidly connecting the lower horizontally extending portions of the side mem bers together below the horizontal plane of the upper platform surfaces of the lower horizontally extending portions of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot extending through the upper horizontally extending portions of the side members intermediate the ends thereof and above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper rear corners thereof and extending parallel to the pivot, and stationary dumping hooks having transverse notches in their upper surfaces above the body of molten metal at a distance equal to'from about to about of the height of the'ingot carrier and in the path of only the transverse dumping bar; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the dumping hooks and opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier near the lower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in loading position.

6. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an in ot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body of the molten metal for about of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally su pended from the bottom of the elevator, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward as it reaches the dumping position, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting when it is in loading position and until it reaches the dumping position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced vertical side members each substantially in the form of a vertically elongated square C having a smooth straight back surface extending vertically for most of its height and inwhich the lower horizontally extending portion .has an upper longitudinally flat horizontal platform :surface, spacer'membersrigidly connecting the :lower horizontally extending portions or the-side *members together-below the upper platform-surfaces of the 1 lower horizontally extending por- 'tions"of"the 'side members, "the 'pi-vot'ab suspension for the ingot carrier including'atransverse jpivot-extending through'the upper horizontally extending" portions of the side "members interfimediate "the ends thereof and -above'-substan "tiallv'thecenter-of gravity of the carrier the fdumpingmeans comprisinga transverse dumpt'ing'bar-projecting from the-side members of the "carrier adj acentthe: upper -rear corners-thereof "and extending parallel to the" pivot, and sta- "tionary'dumpinghooks having transverse notches *i'rr'th'eir upper surfaces-above the body of molten metal at'*a*distance---equal to about of the 'ihei'ght of the ingot carrier' and in -the'-' path of only the'transverse dumping bar; and the-back- :"lng means comprising at least one stationary backer-bar above the dumping hooks-and opposite'to and abuttingthe verticalstraight back r surfaces of the ingotcarrier in all positions of -fthei'ingot carrien'above its dumping position.

'Z.*Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal "into a body of molten"metal in a melt pot which -comprises in combination-an-elevator for loweringan ingot carrier troma loading position above the melt; pot to adumping position *at' which' the carrier is partially submerged in thebody-'of molten metal for-from*about -4:0"about"%; of: its *height'and inc-then tilt the -carrier-backward to dump the ingots, an ingot scarrierpivotallysuspended from the bottom of "the elevator "and having-a horizontal platform :consisting "of two *spaced -rails extending from fronttorearthereof; dumping meanscooperating the elevator to *tilt the carrier backward t'as'fitweaches the-dumpingposition,=and backing f means for-preventing the ingot carrier from ftilting when it is in loading-position; the ingot "carrier consisting essentially of two I parallel spaced werticalside-members each substantially "rinthefiorm 'of'a vertically elongated square ."having asmooth straight back surface extend- *ing'vertically'formost of its height and in which the lower horizontally extending portion hasan "upper longitudinally flat horizontal platform sur- "-face'and formsa'rail'of the carrier platform,

spacer members rigidly connecting the lower horizontally extending portions or 'theside membersto'gether' belowthe horizontal plane of the plane of the upperpla-tform surfaees'ofthe' lower f'horizontally extending portions of the side members, the pivotal" suspension'for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot extending *th-roughthe upper horizontally extending portions of the -side members intermediate the ends thereof and above substantially the center of *g-ravitvof the'oarrier; the dumping-means cornprising a transverse dumping bar projecting "from 'the *side members of the carrier adjacent -theupper-rear *cornersthereoi and extending -parallel'to the pivot, and stationary dumping hookshaving-transverse notches in their upper' *su'rfaces above'the body of molten metal at a di'stance equal to'from about toabout -of theheight of the ingot carrier and in the path for only the transverse dumping bar, the upper "edge'of'eachnotchsloping downwardly and for- .wardly for a 'few'inches' from the vertical plane ;offtheldumping bar to'thebottom of said notch "'infront'of said'vertical plane; and the backing "means comprising at leastonestationarybacker I bar'above the-dumping hooks" and opposite to and abutting the-vertical straight bacle'surf aces 'ofthe ingotcarrien-near the'dower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in leading position.

8. Apparatus ior "charging ingots of -solid 5 metal into' a body of--molten =metal in amelt pot which comprises in combination" an elevator in lowering -an ingot carrieffroma' loading-position above tham'elt pot 1 to= a==dumping :position at which the' carrier is partially": submerged in 10 at body of molten metalfor from about 1 :to

"about /9 of its heightsand tos then tilt ithe icart: rier ba'ckward to idumpf theingots;an ingoticar- 'rieripivotally -.suspendedifromsthezb ottom i ofsthe elevatorandthaving-bat: horizontal platformzzconi 'sistin'gr: ofztwo :spaced; rails extending? fromigfront to;.reari thereof;:dumping.meanstcooperating :with :the :elevatorf toxtilt thescanrieri. backward aaslzit r reaches "lithe :dumping position, rand .zzbaclcing ,.:means ion-"preventing Zthe :ingotcarrier-iromxtlltgoning nwhenzzit; is in loadingiposition;athe ingot scarrier :consisting -:essentially of two riparallel .spaced vertical aside members :each "substantially ::in the:'f011nOf;v&-* vertically elongated squarefi having. a smoothstraightv back surface extending vertically for most" of its height and'in: whichthe =lower. horizontally-extending portion has an upper -longitudinally-fiat horizontal: platform surface and? forms /a rails-of the carrier-.-platform, 1 spacer --members rigidly connecting .-the.: lower horizontally extending portionsof the side members together: :below: the horizontal plane .-of the upper-platform suriacesv of .the lowerlhorizontallyiextendingportions of the-side members. the (pivotal suspension for the ingot, carrier-includ- ,ingiai-transverse pivotrextendingsthroughvthe ,up-

.per horizontally extending, portions: of--the side members intermediate -.the ,ends -thereof and -:above substantially :the centersof gravitypf the carrier; the dumping meanscomprising. a transversetdumpingibariproj ecting from .the .sidetmembers of the carrierta'djacent the upper .lrear .corners thereof and extending parallel-to the pivot, and stationary dumping hooks shaving transverse notches 'inztheir upper surfacesabove the body-of m'olten'metal atrdistance e'quaiflto from about to about of the height'oi the ingot carrier and in"the"-path of only 'the'transverse dumping bar; and-a stationary bumper bar of a width slightly'lessthan the distancebetween the ingot-carrier sidemembers'and of" a height less than /2 the'height of the side-"memhers-said bumper'bar being supported between the vertical I planes of the side members and slightly-above and to the rear of the horizontal platform sur-faces of theiingot carrier when-such carrier is in its lowermost untilted positionpand the-backing means comprising-eat leastone stationarybacker bar'a'bove the dumping hooksv and opposite" to o and abutting the vertical #straight back surfaces of theingot; carriernear the lower ends thereof when-the 'ingot carrierzis ins'loading. position.

9. Apparatus for charging ingotsof solid metal into a body of-moltenmetal inza melt pot-which comprises-in combinationan elevator for lowering an-ingot carrier from-a leading :position above the melt .pot to a dumping position at which. the carrier .is partially submerged-in the body of molten metalfor from about to about of its height and. to then tilt the carr-ier-backward .to dump the ingots, an ingotcarrier. pivotally suspended from -the bottom of the elevatorgdumpingmeans cooperating with the elevator to tilt'the carrier backward as it reaches the "dumping, position, stop means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting forwardly, and

backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting backwardly when it is in loading position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced vertical side members each substantially in the form of a vertically elongated square having a smooth straight back surface extending vertically for most of its height and in which the lower horizontally extending portion has an upper longitudinally flat horizontal platform surface, spacer members rigidly connecting the lower horizontally extending portions of the side members together below the horizontal plane of the upper platform surfaces of the lower horizontally extending portions of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot extending through the upper horizontally extending portions of the side members intermediate the ends thereof and above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper rear corners thereof and extending parallel to the pivot, and stationary dumping hooks having transverse notches in their upper surfaces above the body of molten metal at a distance equal to from about to about of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of only the transverse dumping bar; the stop means comprising stop arms on the elevator extending forwardly of the carrier pivot immediately above the upper horizontally extending portions of the side members; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the dumping hooks and opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier near the lower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in loading position.

10. Apparatus for charging ingots of solid metal into a body of molten metal in a melt pot which comprises in combination an elevator for lowering an ingot carrier from a loading position above the melt pot to a dumping position at which the carrier is partially submerged in the body of molten metal for from about to about of its height and to then tilt the carrier backward to dump the ingots, an ingot carrier pivotally suspended from the bottom of the elevator and having a horizontal platform consisting of two spaced rails extending from front to rear thereof, dumping means cooperating with the elevator to tilt the carrier backward as it reaches the dumping position, stop means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting forwardly, and backing means for preventing the ingot carrier from tilting backwardly when it is in loading position; the ingot carrier consisting essentially of two parallel spaced vertical side members each substantially in the form of a vertically elongated square 0 having a smooth straight back surface extending vertically for most of its height and in which the lower horizontally extending portion has an upper longitudinally fiat horizontal platform surface and forms a rail of the carrier platform, spacer members rigidly connecting the lower horizontally extending portions of the side members together below the horizontal plane of the upper platform surfaces of the lower horizontally extending por tions of the side members, the pivotal suspension for the ingot carrier including a transverse pivot extending through the upper horizontally extending portions of the side members intermediate the ends thereof and above substantially the center of gravity of the carrier; the dumping means comprising a transverse dumping bar projecting from the side members of the carrier adjacent the upper rear corners thereof and extending parallel to the pivot, and stationary dumping hooks having transverse notches in their upper surfaces above the body of molten metal at a distance equal to from about to about of the height of the ingot carrier and in the path of only the transverse dumping bar, the upper edge of each notch sloping downwardly and forwardly for a few inches from the vertical plane of the dumping bar to the bottom of said notch in front of said vertical plane; the stop means comprising stop arms on the elevator extending forwardly of the carrier pivot immediately above the upper horizontally extending portions of the side members; and the backing means comprising at least one stationary backer bar above the dumping hooks and opposite to and abutting the vertical straight back surfaces of the ingot carrier near the lower ends thereof when the ingot carrier is in loading position.

WILLIAM J. BARNES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 567,848 Campbell Sept. 15, 1896 

